Certified Bookkeeper

OVERVIEW

The Certified Bookkeeper Online Training Program for experienced bookkeepers leads to national certification with the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB). The AIPB certification is a high professional standard for bookkeepers. This program was created by the AIPB and is offered in partnership with major colleges, universities, and other accredited education providers. All textbooks are included.

OBJECTIVE

Upon completion of this program, you'll be able to do the following:

Describe the benefits, eligibility requirements, code of ethics, and maintenance requirements for the Certified Bookkeeper

Apply the concepts of accrual accounting to transactions that span fiscal periods

Trace the effect of accrual and deferral transactions to financial statements

Apply accounting concepts and the basic tools of financial analysis in identifying and correcting errors

Apply accounting concepts to depreciation transactions, including various methods of calculating depreciation for book and tax purposes

Value inventory, record costs, make entries, and report inventory on financial statements

Help your company or client use basic internal controls to prevent theft, embezzlement, or check and credit card fraud by employees, customers, or vendors

DETAILS

Certified Bookkeepers are to bookkeeping what CPAs are to accounting: the elite of the profession. Becoming a Certified Bookkeeper can increase your earning potential, enhance your professional status, and give you a decisive edge in any job market. This online program was created by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) to prepare experienced bookkeepers for the certification exam at any Prometric Test Center. The AIPB certification is the only national standard for bookkeepers.

The Web-based format of this program will allow you to move at your own pace while learning in the comfort of your own home. The program consists of six separate subject areas:

Adjusting entries

Correction of accounting errors (including the bank reconciliation)

Book and tax depreciation

Basic payroll

Merchandise inventory

Internal controls and fraud prevention

This program includes a set of six workbooks that will help prepare you for each of the exams.

Students will have one year (365 days) from the date of enrollment in the Certified Bookkeeper Online Training Program through ed2go to submit the Application for Certified Bookkeeper Designation form to The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. The cost of the exam is included with this program.

Upon registering, you're given six months to complete the program.

OUTLINE

Certified Bookkeeper Program

Eligibility Requirements

Testing Program

Code of Ethics

Maintenance of Certification

Accruals, Deferrals, and the Adjusted Trial Balance

Why Accruals, Deferrals, and Other Adjustments are Made

Accruing Revenues and Expenses

Recognizing Revenues Collected in Advance

Recognizing Expenses After a Prepayment

Other Adjusted Entries

Unadjusting Trial Balance Through the Adjusted Trial Balance

Correction of Accounting Errors and the Bank Reconciliation

When and Where Accounting Errors Occur and How They Are Discovered

Performing the Bank Reconciliation

Finding and Correcting Errors on the Unadjusted Trial Balance

Correcting Current-Period Accrual and Deferral Errors

Payroll

How to Pay Different Types of Employees

Federal and State Wage-Hour Law

Paying Employees Under Federal Law

Employment Records and Payroll Recordkeeping

Form W-4 and Comparable State Forms

Withholding and Depositing Federal Taxes

Federal Employment Reporting Forms and Due Dates

When Wages Become Taxable

Other Reporting Rules

Payroll Register and Journal Entries

Depreciation

The Difference Between Book and Tax Depreciation

Depreciation under GAAP

Computing and Allocation Depreciation

Depreciation Under Federal Tax Depreciation Rules

Tax Depreciation of Vehicles

Inventory

General Concepts of Accounting for Inventory

The Perpetual Method

The Periodic Method

Weighted-Average and Moving-Average Methods

First-In, First-Out (FIFO) Method

Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) Method

Lower of Cost or Market LCM Rule

Internal Controls and Fraud Depreciation

How to Prevent or Spot Theft of Inventory and Other Non-cash Assets by Employees

Preventing Employee Theft, Embezzlement, or Fraud by Hiring the Right Personnel

Insuring the Company Against Theft

How to Prevent or Spot Customer Check Fraud

Signs that May Indicate Payroll Fraud

How to Prevent or Spot Customer Credit Card Fraud

Recommended Rules for Company Credit Cards

Preventing Vendors From Cheating the Company

REQUIREMENTS

This program is compatible with the Windows XP and later operating systems and IE 7 and later browsers.

This program can be taken on either a PC or a Mac; however, Microsoft Word and Excel
are required and are not included in course materials that ship to you.

Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Acrobat Reader are required for this program.Click here to download the Acrobat Reader.Click here to download the Flash Player.

The AIPB provides the six workbooks that are required for this program.

PREREQUISITES

The Certified Bookkeeper Online Program is designed for experienced bookkeepers who want to prepare for national certification. Although you may sit for the AIPB Certification exam at any time, you must pass the AIPB Certification exam and be able to submit proof of at least two years of full-time or 3,000 hours of part-time experience in order to earn your Certified Bookkeeper designation.

Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions about requirements for the AIPB Certification exam.

INSTRUCTOR

Wade Lindenberger is a CPA (inactive) with 20 years of financial, accounting, and management experience in public accounting and private industry. He is currently director of the governance, risk and compliance service line for Q5 Group, Inc, a regional professional services firm. Prior to that, Wade was director of the finance and accounting service line for the San Diego office of a global, publicly held professional services firm.

Before becoming a consultant, Wade was divisional controller for one of the leading health and fitness club chains in the world. He's also been internal audit manager and divisional controller for a division of a Fortune 500 global energy project management company. He began his career with Coopers & Lybrand, one of the "big four" CPA firms.

Wade is the author of the Certified Bookkeeper Online Training Program as well as an instructor for it. He's previously served as an instructor for programs at Coopers & Lybrand and, more recently, at the University of California at San Diego for the Extension Program. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Bookkeepers' Advisory Board, the American Institute of CPAs, and the California Society of CPAs.

Marlissa Phillips, CPA, MBA, is proprietor of MJ Phillips Company. For over 12 years, Marlissa has serviced many small businesses in various industries. She partners with her clients to help them reach their goals. Her firm has also launched Heart2Heart Services. This service focuses on the needs and concerns of nonprofit organizations. Heart2Heart combines stewardship and mission. Marlissa provides training to clients as well as accounting professionals. Her Web site, www.mjphillipscpa.com, has a host of accounting, tax, and QuickBooks information.

Marlissa graduated from the University of West Georgia with a B.B.A. in finance. She received an M.B.A. in accounting from DePaul University. Marlissa is a member of the Intuit Accounting Professionals Trainer Network and is an instructor for CPELink.com.

FAQS

1. Can I register for programs if I am an international student?

Yes, because ed2go programs are online you never have to actually travel to the school. Most schools offer telephone or online registration.

2. How long does it take to complete a program?

All of our programs are self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start them when you want and finish them at your own pace. Upon registering, you're given six months to complete this program.

3. Do I have to buy additional materials?

All the materials you'll need are included, and their cost will be covered by your tuition. ed2go will ship all materials ground service upon enrollment.

4. Can I get financial assistance?

ed2go courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses.

5. What happens when I complete the program?

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.

6. Am I guaranteed a job?

ed2go programs will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. We don't provide direct job placement services, but our facilitators and career counselors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job. Facilitators will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the program. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

7. Who will be my instructor?

Each student is paired up with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction. The facilitator will be available (via e-mail) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.

8. What software or hardware do I need in order to take online programs and what are the system requirements?

In order to take our online programs, you must have access to a computer and the Internet. You can access the program contents from any Web-enabled computer. You don't have to use the same computer to log-in to the program every time. We recommend that you have a word-processing program (Microsoft Word is best) and the latest version of Internet Explorer.

9. Can I use a Mac?

Yes, you can use a Mac for this program.

10. How can I get more information about the program?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, please feel free to contact us via LIVE chat (click the button toward the top of the page). If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please feel free to send us a question using the "Contact Us" form to the right. You may also call us at 1-855-520-6806. We will answer your questions promptly.

11. When can I start the program?

Our programs are all open enrollment. You can register and start the program as soon as you are ready.

Please note: Once the program curriculum is accessed online or through submission of a material shipment confirmation, refunds cannot be issued.

12. What if I don't have enough time to complete my program within the time frame provided?

The time allotted to complete your program has been calculated based on the number of hours for each program, so don't worry too much about not completing in time. If, after a concerted effort, you are still unable to complete, your Student Advisor will help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that a fee will be charged for an extension.

REVIEWS

I thought that it really met the needs of a bookkeeper. I learned a lot.- E.P., George Mason University

The course was in depth and thorough in examples which was helpful. The support from Wade my facilitator was very helpful…he was always available.- D.G., Loyola Marymount University

I am very happy with this experience. My facilitator Wade Lindenberger was helpful to solve difficulties in timely manner. I appreciated everyone’s support.- P.G., County College of Morris

My facilitator was understanding and professional. The online course allowed me to work at my own convenience. The support I received was timely and helped me to navigate through the course.- B.P., Cal Polytechnic State University

This course was very challenging and informative. My facilitator was always available to answer questions or concerns in a timely manner. Great facilitator and great support!- D.T., National University

I enjoyed the layout of the course, as well as the fact that it was move at your own pace. I had a family emergency and spent a week in the hospital but it did not affect my homework because I was able to catch right up!- A.C., University of Georgia

I was able to work at my own speed. When things came up with family or that I needed to take care of, I was able to focus on them and then get back to my course.- D.G., York Technical College - Industrial